DESSEN, MOSES & ROSSITTO
Last Updated: May 29, 2006

INFORMATION ABOUT
ADOPTION

Adoption is the Court-ordered assumption of parental responsibility for another individual, usually a minor child. However, it is possible for an adult, in certain circumstances, to adopt another adult as his or her legal child.

The questions and answers that follow discuss some of the issues concerning adoption. While the material below addresses common, nationwide concerns, all legal problems are unique and state and local laws can significantly modify these procedures. Therefore, you should not assume that the information below applies to your particular fact situation or your local law. We strongly urge you to consult with an attorney licensed to practice in your home state for accurate advice as it applies to your own particular legal situation.

HOW CAN YOUR ATTORNEYS HELP US WITH ADOPTION?

Our Family Law Department assists clients who want to adopt a child in numerous ways. Most of the time, the adoption is a traditional one, where a couple adopts a child. However, we have also helped single individuals to adopt as well. At other times, we have provided services for a kinship adoption, which is where a step-parent or other relative adopts a child. We have also helped clients to locate the natural parent in order to terminate his or her parent rights, voluntarily or involuntarily.

DO YOU ONLY HANDLE LOCAL ADOPTIONS?

Although most adoptions are local ones, where all of the parties live in the same state, we have arranged for out-of-state and we have assisted with out-of-country adoptions where necessary.

AFTER WE FIND A CHILD TO ADOPT, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

The adoption laws of each state differ to some extent. But in general, once you have found a child to adopt, your lawyer must file certain paperwork with the court to start the adoption. If you are adopting an orphan, or the child of a non-relative, there will usually be a court approved social worker or agency involved to investigate you and your spouse (if any) and inspect your home and monitor how you and the child get along together in your home for a period of time (six months), before the Court will allow a hearing to be scheduled on the adoption. Thereafter, your lawyer will attend hearings with you and the adoptee. If necessary, the natural parents' rights must be terminated before an adoption can be granted.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE COURT GRANTS THE ADOPTION?

After the court grants the adoption petition, your lawyer will order a new birth certificate to reflect your child's new name. Once the adoption is finalized, you should consult with your accountant or tax preparer as some of your costs in the adoption process may be deductible on your federal income tax return. If your child was born overseas, once the adoption is finalized your lawyer will then take the necessary steps to have your child become an American citizen.

I AM AN ADOPTEE. CAN YOU HELP ME FIND MY BACKGROUND?

More and more people are interested in learning about their natural parents' backgrounds. Sometimes they need to know their parents' health problems and other times they just want to learn about them as individuals. At times we are able to help adoptees to obtain information about their natural parents. We have helped adoptees with many different situations.

DESSEN, MOSES & ROSSITTO is happy to assist you in any legal matter that involves either Pennsylvania or New Jersey, the two states in which our attorneys routinely practice. If you wish to contact us for more information concerning this field of law or any other in which we practice, please send us an E-mail message and we will be happy to try to assist you.

LINKS TO OTHER INTERESTING INFO

Adopting.org
Adoption Law Materials
Adoption.com
Divorce & Family Law Research Links
Divorce.net
Hillside Family of Agencies
National Adoption Center